Boulder Opal and Steatite Optical Properties

Boulder Opal

Steatite

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1 Optical Properties

1.1 Luster

Not Available

1.2 Pleochroism

AbsentWalter Schumann

Not Available

1.3 Dispersion

NoneNA

0.007 1

1.4 Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

Gemmological Tables (2004)

1.5 Refractive Index

1.370-1.4701.539-1.596

1 3.25

1.6 Optic Character

Not Available

1.7 Crystal System

Not Available

1.8 Birefringence

Not Available0.046-0.050

0 0.296

1.9 Clarity

Transparent

OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Boulder Opal and Steatite Optic Character

Boulder Opal and Steatite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Boulder Opal and Steatite Physical Properties like crystallographic symmetry, pleochroism,etc. in the crystal. Some of the optical properties are refractive index, luster, optic character, pleochroism etc. Prominent among these is Boulder Opal and Steatite optic character. You might have noticed your gemologist rotating the gemstone while testing it. Rotating a gemstone along its optic axis helps in determining its optic character.

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Boulder Opal and Steatite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Boulder Opal and Steatite transparency can also be used as criteria for their primary identification. Although transparency cannot be the only criteria for gemstone identification, it can efficiently used in gemstone grading. Talking about their transparency, Boulder Opal is Translucent and Transparent while Boulder Opal is Translucent and Transparent in appearance.